Friday 28th July we packed out the Conference room at Grange Farm, for our 10th Anniversary Bash. A glass of fizz welcomed the 50+ members and guests to an evening of games, horse quiz, AGM and awards.

Starting with the icebreaker Bingo, 2 short videos – one from 2012 and this year’s VIDEO – followed by The Quiz written by Sharon and Janice.

There was a dash to the chippy by Tracey & Helen to get a car load of fish, sausages, chicken and of course chips – and I mean a car load, in the boot, back seat, foot wells and on Helen’s lap.

The AGM followed with Tracey (chairman) thanking Di Dunlop and presenting her with a bunch of flowers for her support in using Grange Farm Equestrian Centre over the years, the founders Charlotte Hollis, Julia Dungworth and Dawn Ross. The previous chairs, Charlotte, Sue Proctor and Karen Dinwoodie, followed by thanks to the rest of the current committee.

Then onto the legal bits, the Treasurer’s report, from Karen. She firstly thanked Angela who does all the collecting and banking of monies. The accounts were on display for all to see but Karen explained how our accountant has sorted out an important query regarding Corporation tax, and we don’t owe anything for the time being (yippee). The bank balance is very healthy and last year we had 128 members. Our future plans are to buy some new dressage boards and letters.

Official thanks and legal part over we went onto …

The Awards.

The mentors were asked to nominate the horse and rider who had most improved this year.

Tom Fray ‘s award went to Helen McIntosh

Cathy Lammie nominated Jo Meikle

Kate Knight – Hannah Elsey

Claire Llewelyn – Ann Hiles

Jane Ellis – Phillipa Worrall

Rachel Finch – Yvonne Ludeks

The Committee gave two special awards – firstly to some-one who embodied the club’s values – helped at events, regularly came to mentoring, rode in qualifiers, was always helpful and encouraging to other members and was a general good egg, and the 2017 winner was – Debbie Robinson

Also special mention of one of our youngest members – Louis Devonshire who was due to be with us during the evening together with his mum Jo but was in fact recovering from his transplant operation in London – a super Bravery Award for Louis – we all wish you well.

Helpers were thoroughly thanked having clocked up an amazing 900+ hours of setting up, running and clearing away at events over the past membership year. The roll of honour (excluding committee members) was

Sara & Graham Murphy

Merry Clark

Sue Gregg

Juliette Eaton

Jo Harrison

Hannah And Abi Elsey

Jools Long

Claire Mellor

Debbie Robinson

Sandi & Maddie Taylor

Andy Blair

Cherry Anderson

Sue Scarrott

All their names were put into a hat and one lucky winner drawn out of the hat – Hannah and Abi Elsey – worthy winners of a bottle of fizz (well not Hannah!!!)